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Key information

The pied flycatcher is a small, flycatching bird, slightly smaller than a house sparrow. The male is mostly black on the upperparts and white underneath, with a bold white patch on the folded wing. Females are browner.

It is a summer visitor and breeds mainly in western areas, spending the winter in West Africa.

What they eat:

Insects and caterpillars, fruit and seeds in late summer and on migration.

Measurements:

Length:

13cm

Wingspan:

21-24cm

Weight:

12-15g

Population:

UK breeding:

17,000-20,000 pairs

Identifying features:

This bird species has different identifying features depending on sex/age/season.

Pied flycatcher (male)

Feather colour:
BlackWhite

Leg colour:
Brown

Beak:
BlackShortThin

Natural habitats:
WoodlandUrban and suburban

Pied flycatcher (female)

Feather colour:
BrownCream/buffGreyWhite

Leg colour:
Brown

Beak:
BlackShortThin

Natural habitats:
WoodlandUrban and suburban

Similar birds:

Where and when to see them

Pied flycatchers can be found in mature woodlands mainly to the west of the UK, not in N Ireland. The valleys and hillsides of Wales are a good place to look for breeding birds in summer and the RSPB's Nagshead reserve has a good population. You may also see it in spring and autumn at coastal migration watchpoints.

* This map is intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.